Have a clear plan and terms of reference
Last Updated 12/12/2024
It’s best practice to have a carefully considered plan for an investigation, with clear terms of reference.
A good plan would include all relevant information needed to ensure a fair and thorough investigation, including clearly defined and framed allegations or descriptions of the concerns.
The plan will help the investigator know what is expected of them. It will help to make sure steps are taken to communicate openly, sensivitely, and compassionately with the person who is the subject of the investigation, people who use services and their family members, and any staff members involved.
A clear plan and terms of reference also will help to avoid delays.
- Download
- Email Page
- Last Updated: 12/12/2024
Want to download and print whole sections of the resource? Visit the downloads page.
Related guides
Managing concerns
- Introduction
-
Deciding to make a referral
- Key considerations before making a possible referral
- Ensuring your decisions to refer are fair and unbiased
- Concerns you should refer to us
- Take equality, diversity and inclusion into account
- Promote a culture of openness and learning
- Considering evidence of insight and strengthened practice
- The three types of concerns you should raise with us
- How to make a referral
-
Referral Scenarios
- 1. Health condition – employer can manage the concerns locally while investigating
- 2. Verbal abuse of patient – employer can manage the concerns locally while investigating
- 3. Alleged theft of medication – employer can manage the concerns locally while investigating
- 4. Alleged unprofessional behaviour: concerns being suitably managed locally
- 5. Concerns about clinical competence – local investigation should conclude before referral
- 6. Concerns about clinical competence – referral should be made before conclusion of local investigation.
- 7. Concerns about putting patients at risk and falsification of records – immediate referral required
- 8. Concerns about physical abuse of patient – immediate referral required
- Conducting a local investigation
- Managing concerns
- Supporting your employees
- Appendix
- Managing concerns: a resource for employers (all guides) - all guides